Portable stove with collapsible casing



April 17, 1956 c. BRAMMING 2,742,033

PORTABLE STOVE WITH COLLAPSIBLE CASING I 2 Sheets-Sheet l llllllpl uw-INVENTOR.

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ATTORNEYS.

pr 1956 c. BRAMMING PORTABLE STOVE WITH COLLAPSIBLE CASING 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 6, 1950 INVENTOR.

BY, I Ar'rok g United States Patent PORTABLE STOVE WITH COLLAPSIBLECASING Carl Bramming, Anderson, Ind., assignor to Aladdin Industries,Incorporated, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application July6, 1950, Serial No. 172,271

6 Claims. (Cl. 126-38) My invention relates to an improved compactportable hydrocarbon fuel burning stove with a collapsible casingsuitable for use by sportsmen or the like, capable in the collapsedcondition of being carried in the pocket of a sportsmans jacket,knapsack, or trousers, and carrying all the elements, including fuel,necessary to heat foodcontaining utensils.

Hydrocarbon fuel burning stoves are inherently unwieldy because theyrequire a fuel tank of sufiicient size to contain fuel for aconsiderable period of operation and, in the operating condition, theburner parts must have free access to air for cooling and combustion.Moreover, the stove in the operating condition must produce a flame ofas large size as possible to distribute heat. over the receptacle beingheated to a maximum-possible degree.

In accordance with the present invention a very small size stove capablein the packed condition of being received in the pocket of the user isprovided which, when in the opened position for use, has ample air andreceives a burner of relatively large size to produce a large heatingflame suitable for heating or cooking the contents of relatively largevessels. The fuel tank of the stove is capable of holding suificienthydrocarbon fuel for approximately two hours of continuous operation.

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide animproved hydrocarbon fuel burning stove with a collapsible casingcapable of being received in a sportsmans pocket when not in use and inuse defining an eflt'ective heater.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a completelyself-contained portable stove and casing which in the packed or carryingcondition contains all the elements required for effective operation andin the condition of use forms a complete heater of adequate size andcapacity to receive relatively large cooking utensils.

The novel features which I believe to be characteristic of my inventionare set forth with particularity in the appended claims. My inventionitself, together with other objects and further advantages thereof, maybest be understood by reference to the following description taken inconjunction withthe accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the stove of the present invention incondition for use;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view through axis 2-2, Figure 1, showingparts in elevation;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view through axis 3-3, Figure 4, showingthe stove in the collapsed carrying condition; and,

Figures 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views through axes 4-4 and 5-5,Figure 3, showing the stove in the collapsed carrying condition.

As seen best in Figure 2, the stove of the present invention comprises aheater, indicated generally at 1, which in the operating condition issuspended between a pair of shells, 2 and 3, and lies underneath theutensil-supporting frame 4 when the stove is in use. In the collapsedcondition of the casing shown in Figures 3 to 5, the heater 1 is Iceentirely encased by the shells 2 and 3 and the frame 4 rests in thespace between the burner and the shell.

The heater indicated generally at 1 comprises a fuel tank 5 which is ofdrum or flat cylindrical configuration as shown. The tank is defined bythe cylindrical central portion 6 and the two complementary opposedconvex end plates 7. The bottom of the tank has a threaded hole toreceive the threaded filling cap 8 which forms a seal to retain thecontents of the tank. A burner column 9 surmounts the tank 5 andterminates in a burner bowl 10 within which an annular heating flame isproduced.

The heater 1 may be any one of many types known to the art. For example,it may be of the vapor type generating its own pressure wherein a wickextends downwardly from the bowl 10 into the liquid hydrocarbon fuel inthe tank 5. Alternatively, the burner may be of the pressure typewherein pump elements (not shown) located in the tank 5 enable creationof air pressure in the tank and heating means are provided to vaporizethe hydrocarbon fuel, such as gasoline, for normal operation. Thesetypes of burners or flame producing means require access to free air fornormal operation and operate most effectively when spaced from adjacentobjects as shown in Figure 2.

The tank 5 has a pair of complementary opposed rectangular pocketdefining side members 11. Each of these members is rigidly secured tothe tank by means of oppositely extending portions 12 having a surfaceconforming in shape to the cylindrical surface portion 6 of the tank 5.The intermediate portion 13 of each member is raised above the tanksurface and extends in spaced relationwith respect to the surface of thetank to define a rectangular pocket as shown in Figure 2 The casing forthe stove is defined by a pair of opposed complementary shells 2 and 3.These are of substantially identical construction with rounded convexside panels 14 and with wall portions 15 extending around the sidepanels. The wall portion 15 of the shell 2 receives the offset extension16 which in the closed position of the shells (Figure 5) also telescopessnugly in the shell 3 to form a tight receptacle. The wall portions 15each have a series of embossed ribs 17 which serve as stops for theextension 16.

A pair of links 18 forming a toggle are located on each side of the tank5 and extend between shells 2 and 3 as shown in Figure 2. These linksare pivotally supported from the wall portions 15 of the shells 2 and 3by the pins 19. The links of each toggle pair are pivotally attached bythe pins 20, Figures 1 and 2.

Each toggle link has a rectangular lug or spade 21 positioned adjacentthe pin 20 and oriented to extend upwardly when the links are in theextended or opened position of Figure 2. These spades are of size to fitsnugly in the rectangular pockets defined by the members 11 so that thelinks are held in a predetermined transverse orientation relative to theplane of the tank 5 by the coaction of the spade portions 21 and thepocketdefining members 11. 7

When the heater 1 is removed, the toggle links are held in thehorizontal position of Figure 2 by the pins 22 which may be seen inFigures 1 and 2. These pins are held in the wall portions 15 of theshells 2 and 3 and coact with the notches 23, Figure 2, of thecorresponding links to hold the links against dropping substantiallybelow the horizontal or aligned orientation.

The pins 22 hold the links 18 in a position slightly be low the positionthese links are constrained to assume when confined by the spades 21 andthe pockets defined by members 11. Consequently, the weight of theheater 1 is carried by the spades 21 and there is no tendency to springthe stops 22 or the pins 19 because of this load.

The shells 2 and 3 are held upright in the expanded position by theframe 4. As seen best in Figure 1, this frame consists of a pair ofspaced members 23a between which the rods 24, 25, and 26 extend to formthe grid of the stove. The central grid rod, 25, is straight and extendsdirectly over the burner B. The edge grid rods 24- and 26 are arcuateand define concave sides to the frame, thereby permitting the frame tofit snugly in the casing when the unit is collapsed as in Figure 4.

As seen best in Figure 2, the members 23a are of L- shaped cross-sectionand define overhanging faces 29 to which the grid rods are aflixed bywelding or similar means. The downturned sides of these members,indicated at 30, have depending lugs or spade portions, 31, Figures 2and 5, which fit in corresponding elongated slots in the top portion ofthe wall 15 of the shells 2 and 3 and the extension 16. These slots areseen in plan view in Figure 1 and are indicated at 32, respectively.

When the frame 4 rests on the top of the shells 2 and 3 with the spadesor lugs 31 received in the slots 32, the tops of the shells are held apredetermined distance apart to define a complete rigid unit capable ofsupporting utensils containing food to be cooked.

A pair of brackets 33 extend inwardly from the shells 2 and 3 as shownin Figure 2. These brackets have concave central portions, 34, Figure 3,which snugly receive the top portion 9 of the heater 1 when the heateris inverted and placed between the closed shells 2 and 3. This snuglysecures the heater in position.

When the stove is packed for carrying, the heater 1 is inverted relativeto the shells 2 and 3 and the shells joined about the heater to form acasing as shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5. In this condition the shellssnugly encase the burner and form a compact unit with little unusedspace. The frame 4 is lifted from the shells 2 and 3 before packing andis positioned adjacent the heater 1 as shown in the figures. Thecurvature of the rods 24 and 26 conforms to the shape of the tank 5 sothat the frame is snugly held in position when packed.

When the shells are brought together for packing, the toggles defined bylinks 18 collapse as shown in Figures 4 and 5.

The spacer member 35 mounted on the bottom of extension 16 as shown inFigures 2 and 4 has an intermediate portion 36 which fits against theflame flange 37, Figure 4, of the heater 1 to hold the same in position.

From the foregoing description it will be evident that I have providedan improved stove for sportsmen or the like which in the open conditionfor use defines a complete sturdy structure capable of supportingcooking utensils and providing adequate air for the burner. closedcondition, the parts of the stove conform to form a very small compactunit having little unused space. In actual models of the presentinvention it has been found possible to make the stove so small that inthe collapsed condition it may easily be carried in the coat pocket of asportsman.

While I have shown and described a specific embodiment of my invention,it willv of course be understood that I do not wish to be limitedthereto and that by the appended claims I intend to cover allmodifications and alternative constructions falling within the truespirit and scope thereof.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is:

1. A collapsible pocket stove for sportsmen or the like comprising incombination, a heater having on its sides a pair of opposed rectangularpockets opening downwardly, a pair of complementary housing shellshaving relatively flat side skirt portions and adapted to encase theheater in the inverted position, the shells having a plurality ofopenings on their top surfaces, toggle links secured to the skirtportions of the shells and in the opened condition with the shellsupright defining upstanding spades adapted to be received in the pocketsto support the heater in an upright position on the toggles and to re-In the 4 strain the toggles against collapse, and a support frameadapted to fit over the shells when in the open position and having lugsadapted to fit in said openings to secure the tops of the shells inpredetermined spaced relation.

2. A collapsible pocket stove for sportsmen or the like comprising incombination a heater having a substantially disk-shaped fuel tanksurmounted by a flame producing means of smaller cross-section, the tankhaving a pair of rectangular pockets Opening downwardly, a pair ofcomplementary housing shells adapted to enease the heater in theinverted position, the shells having top openings to receive a supportframe, toggle links extending between the shells and in the openedcondition with the shells upright defining upstanding spades adapted tobe received in the pockets to support the heater in the upright positionon the toggles and to restrain the toggles against collapse, and asupport frame adapted to fit over the shells in the open position andhaving lugs adapted to fit in said openings to secure the tops of theshells in predetermined spaced relation, the frame having concave sidemembers to mate with the tank to form a snug fit between the shells whenin the closed position.

3. A collapsible pocket stove for sportsmen or the like comprising, incombination, a heater, a pair of complementary, laterally skirtedinterengageable half shells for encasing said heater, said shells beingseparable horizontally to form spaced vertical supports, toggle linkspivoted to and extending between said shells for movement betweengenerally vertical jackknifed positions with said shells closed andgenerally horizontal extended positions with said shells separated, saidlinks having angularly extending spade arms thereon movable into alinedupstanding positions with said links extended, said heater having meansthereon forming downwardly opening slots telescopically engageable oversaid alined arms to mount said heater in an upright position on saidlinks and to restrain said links against downward jackknifing movement,and a utensil supporting member extending across and interconnecting thetops of said shells when in separated relation, said supporting memberbeing receivable in said shells when closed.

4. A collapsible pocket stove for sportsmen or the like comprising, incombination, a heater, a pair of complementary, laterally skirtedinterengageable half shells for encasing said heater, said shells beingseparable horizontally to form spaced vertical utensil supports, andtoggle links pivoted to and extending between said shells for movementbetween generally vertical jackknifed positions with said shells engagedand generally horizontal extended positions with said shells separated,said links having angularly extending arms thereon movable into alinedupstanding positions with said links extended, said heater having meanson its sides forming downwardly opening slots engageable telescopicallyover said alined arms to mount said heater in an upright position onsaid links and to restrain said toggle links against downwardjackknifing movement, said shells and said links having interengageablestop elements for restraining said links from dropping substantiallybelow the position occupied by said links with said arms received insaid slots, said stop elements being effective during erection of saidstove to facilitate mounting of said heater on said arms.

5. A collapsible pocket stove for sportsmen or the like comprising, incombination, a heater, a pair of complementary, laterally flangedinterengageable half shells for encasing said heater, said shells beingseparable horizontally to form spaced vertical utensil supports, andtoggle links pivoted to and extending between said shells, said linksbeing movable between generally vertical jackknifed positions with saidshells closed and generally horizontal extended position with saidshells separated, said links having angularly extending arms thereonmovable into alined upstanding positions with said links extended, saidheater having means on its sides forming downwardly opening slots fortelescopically receiving said alined arms to mount said heater in anupright position on said links and to restrain said links againstdownward jackknifing movement.

6. A collapsible pocket stove for sportsmen or the like comprising, incombination, a heater, a pair of complementary, laterally flangedinterengageable half shells for enoasing said heater, said shells beingseparable horizontally to form spaced vertical utensil supports, togglelinks pivoted to and extending between said shells for movement betweengenerally vertical jackknifed positions with said shells closed andgenerally horizontal extended positions with said shells separated, saidlinks and said heater having locking elements movable into interlockingengagement with said links extended to support said heater in an uprightposition on said links and to restrain said links against downwardjackknifing movement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS158,615 Almond Jan 12, 1875 1,358,495 Aronson Nov. 9, 1920 1,411,076Ball Mar. 28, 1922 1,887,840 Healion Nov. 15, 1932 7 2,570,508 BalkemaOct. 9, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 402,553 France Oct. 12, 1909 196,784 GreatBritain May 3, 1923

